Change the Autopilot from Raymarine to Garmin?

[kacecar]

I'm thinking of changing my autopilot system from Raymarine to Garmin, the subjective reasoning being that my Raymarine system seems rather unreliable and costly to maintain while my Garmin electronics just go on and on.

The Garmin GPH12 seems to be the "core pack" I need but Garmin don't appear to be actively marketing them - they can be bought from various chandleries but information about the product appears somewhat buried on the Garmin website and, in comparison with Raymarine, rather difficult to obtain. Reviews on the internet are scarce, scant and old. In short, I'm getting a negative vibe about the thing.

Does Garmin have a supply problem with the GPH12? Or is it a quality/serviceability issue? Is there a new product just about to launch? Has anyone on the forum got one installed and if so, is it satisfactory?

 

[Javelin]

Found these comments which might help,

The biggest downside is that the true wind hold mode cannot be engaged without a water-speed sensor on the network. Apparent wind hold is always available, but does not provide the best course holding when sailing downwind in a sea state. Using water speed to calculate the true wind is old-school thinking for autopilot control, plus the paddle wheel water speed sensors have questionable accuracy and reliability. If true wind hold could be engaged with only GPS speed on the network, this autopilot would be vastly improved, and be more on par with the advanced European made pilots. It would be an easy software fix for Garmin.

The second problem is that the rudder position sensor integrated into the Class A drive develops wildly drifting calibration error after about 24 hours of continuous ocean sailing, eventually causing the system to fail and require recalibration while underway. Both of my drives do this. The condition does not develop with inshore, day sailing. Garmin has acknowledged this problem but has not yet proposed a solution.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

I have a six year old Raymarine course computer, seven year old Raymarine plotter, associated newer control heads etc. nothing Raymarine has ever gone wrong.

 

[Tranona]

I have a six year old Raymarine course computer, seven year old Raymarine plotter, associated newer control heads etc. nothing Raymarine has ever gone wrong.

Lucky you!

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Lucky you!

Thank you!

 

[Tranona]

Thank you!

Wait until it does go wrong, then you will learn the meaning of the word frustration - although only if, like me, you have the demeanour of a saint. Many people learn the meaning of other words that are not used in polite company.

 

[kacecar]

Thanks Javelin - I hadn't found that review. It would seem to indicate the the problem is indeed one of serviceability and, given the general vibe, that's put me right off the idea so it looks like I'll stay with Raymarine

Lazy Kipper - thanks for replying. However, I'm with Tranona on this - my Raymarine stuff has scotched any chance I might have had of beatification and my language has definitely deteriorated. I'm pleased you've enjoyed six trouble-free years but I suspect it won't be long before that comes to an end and wish you the best of luck when it does. In my experience Raymarine stuff isn't bad kit but fixing it is generally time consuming and rather expensive.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I have a six year old Raymarine course computer, seven year old Raymarine plotter, associated newer control heads etc. nothing Raymarine has ever gone wrong.

I'm thinking of changing my autopilot system from Raymarine to Garmin, the subjective reasoning being that my Raymarine system seems rather unreliable and costly to maintain while my Garmin electronics just go on and on.

Canb you really say that about Garmin - I would have thought they havent been around long enough to prove the point. My Simrad Robertson autopilot has been happily working for 18 years now with no more maintenance than a one off replace of the hydraulic piston seals that I did myself. I would be complaining loudly if it hadnt lasted that long.

In fact I'm more than a bit teed off that the radar of similar age has failed this year.

 

[noelex]

Sorry I have not heard much about Garmin autopilots.

My Raymarine underdeck autopilots have been very reliable. The electric linear drive seems especially built proof.

The Raymarine system will also not calculate "true wind" without a log input. Mine is teamed with some B&G equipment and the autopilot will respond to true wind calculated from GPS speed ( so called ground wind), but when cruising there is little need (although its much better for the wind display)

 

[kacecar]

My Simrad Robertson autopilot has been happily working for 18 years now with no more maintenance than a one off replace of the hydraulic piston seals that I did myself. I would be complaining loudly if it hadnt lasted that long.

Exactly how I feel after two computers, two control heads, and one linear drive in ten years. All but the rudder reference unit were professionally installed. Now I've got yet another failure. (In fairness to Raymarine and to "noelex" the old linear drive was very noisy and completely knackered but hadn't failed - the new one is still going strong after seven seasons.) Ho hum, perhaps I ought to get a Robertson (bet you cant get them now).

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Lazy Kipper - thanks for replying. However, I'm with Tranona on this - my Raymarine stuff has scotched any chance I might have had of beatification and my language has definitely deteriorated. I'm pleased you've enjoyed six trouble-free years but I suspect it won't be long before that comes to an end and wish you the best of luck when it does. In my experience Raymarine stuff isn't bad kit but fixing it is generally time consuming and rather expensive.

I wasn't being all "ya ya I'm fine", just a reply to your original suggestion that Raymarine stuff is prone to failure. It's far and away the most common manufacturer of installed networked systems so I suspect that it's like Eberspacher - you hear of more breakdowns because there are far more units. For balance to the flaky Raymarine idea, I bought a type 300 course computer that was 10 years old, used it without issue for two years and sold it to a chap who's cruising the med. All three boats used it without problem. Garmin is a new kid on the block when it comes to autopilots and hopefully they will prove a strong competitor to Raymarine. But if you want stories of flaky equipment, there were a whole host of small manufacturers who produced decidedly rubbish stuff. Thankfully most are now out of business.

 

[Hadenough]

Exactly how I feel after two computers, two control heads, and one linear drive in ten years. All but the rudder reference unit were professionally installed. Now I've got yet another failure. (In fairness to Raymarine and to "noelex" the old linear drive was very noisy and completely knackered but hadn't failed - the new one is still going strong after seven seasons.) Ho hum, perhaps I ought to get a Robertson (bet you cant get them now).

We have a 30 year old Robertson on our new / old boat. Still works fine but I dread the day that I get problems. On a similar note our old boat had / has a 40 year old Pinta auto pilot which works by smoke and mirrors ---- but it still works! Used it today.

 

[Sybarite]

I have a six year old Raymarine course computer, seven year old Raymarine plotter, associated newer control heads etc. nothing Raymarine has ever gone wrong.

My A/P 2000 packed up two months out of warranty. The quote to replace the circuit board was more than I paid for the new product. They told me that I shouldn't have allowed it to get wet....

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Now I wish I hadn't bothered posting is this just going to be an endless serries of posts saying either - my Raymarine stuff doesn't last / my Raymarine stuff does last. I was just giving a bit of balance to the OP. I'm off now to find out if they do extended warranties, in case I get hoisted on me own petard.